First War

Human barracks

This is where the men of arms came for training and recruitment. Footmen, Knights, and Archers could be found here, constantly honing their skills as they waited to be called forth into battle. The crews that manned catapults were also trained here, and when one required the services of one of these great machines, it would be routed through this site.[1]

Orc barracks

The training of Orcish armies took place in this structure. Grunts, Spearmen, and Raiders all practiced the skills needed to slay the enemy in the cruelest form imaginable. The crews that manned the awesome catapults were also trained here, and when one of the mighty devices was required, it would be routed through here as well.[2]

Human barracks.

Orc barracks.

Second War

Human barracks

Barracks were large, fortified structures that offered training and housing for the many warriors in the Alliance. An integral part of any defended community, the barracks fostered unity and good will between the races. HumanFootmen lived alongside elves and dwarves - all training together under one roof. The training of ballista crews and the construction of these war machines also took place within the barracks compound.[3]

Orc barracks

The most highly honored structure in any Orcish community, the Barracks maintained the necessary facilities to train Orc, Troll and Ogre troops for battle. The clash of cold steel and the war cries of Troll Axethrowers could be heard from dawn until dusk - serving as a constant reminder of the warlike mentality of the Horde.[4]

Alliance barracks.

Horde barracks.

Third War

Human barracks

The barracks are the staging area and bunking quarters for most human troops. It is within the barracks' walls that footmen are taught the art of shield defense. Here, dwarves and humans train side by side, united by the threat of their common enemy.

Orc barracks

Barracks provide lodging for the orc troops. Sometimes a place of dissension within the lower ranks, the barracks houses not only orcs, but also bloodthirsty trolls. Here catapults are assembled and readied for war.[5]

For some reason, the human keep design used in Warcraft III was combined with the Alliance barracks design of the same game to create the type used in World of Warcraft. This means that the human barracks found in World of Warcraft are very similar to keeps, to the point that barracks and keeps are often interchangeable in dialogs. Buildings that are distinctly ruined keeps have a clock tower like they did in Warcraft III, but there is no intact keep model. As an example, Menethil Keep previously had a barracks model when it was intact, but now that it has been partially destroyed it uses a keep model with a clock tower. This changed with the new style of buildings used by the Alliance in Northrend, where keeps are similar but distinct from the barracks due to their tower. Sadly this does not stop the confusion, as Recruitment Officer Blythe calls the presumed keep part of Valiance Keep a barracks in [68] Enlistment Day.

Similarly, the orc stronghold design was combined with the Horde barracks of Warcraft II to create the type used in World of Warcraft. Though, the same model is not used for both structure types; the old barracks design went to the stronghold (minus the rear fifth tower for some reason), and a new, more open design based on the style from Warcraft III was created for the barracks. Once again barracks and strongholds are often interchangeable in dialogs.[6] Starting with the war against the Lich King, the orcs also began building metallic barracks, to the point that during the offensive they often replaced inns in orc bases. There are two variants of these metallic barracks models, one with two floors inside the tower and one with three.

It is unknown why the second-level town halls and barracks of both races were merged. To make matters worse, dwarven keeps like Dun Garok and Angor Fortress were previously often described as either keeps or barracks.[7][8]

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